A couple of months ago, my wife’s Harvey family had a family get-together. Her grandfather, Wayne Harvey, died last December, and there were lots of old photos being passed around. As we were leaving, I gathered most of the photos to take home and scan. I also grabbed an old scrapbook.

I finally pulled the photos out yesterday and spent some time scanning. I then began to leaf through the pages of the scrapbook. It appears to have been put together by my wife’s great grandmother, Martha (Musbach) Harvey, Wayne’s mom. It contains page after page of family and friend-related newspaper clippings from the early 1900’s to the mid 1940’s. The Harveys and Musbachs lived in the areas between Jackson and Chelsea, MI.

What a treasure trove of information! Articles announcing weddings, deaths, anniversaries and family get-togethers. I spent the next several hours adding dates and places and other facts to people in my family tree, and also discovering some new names and stories that I knew nothing of.

I’ve really enjoyed leafing through the scrapbook and immersing myself in the happenings of the Harvey and Musbach families, and their friends, as they went about their daily lives during the first half of the 20th century.

It’s neat to come across streets that were named in honor of my families’ ancestors. It’s adds to their stories and certainly indicates that they were well thought of in their communities! He are some pictures of the street signs I’ve found.

The first one is located in Plymouth, MA. Bradford Street is named after one of my most famous ancestors, Governor William Bradford of the Plymouth Colony. He is my ninth great grandfather.

My wife’s maiden name is Harvey. Harvey Road, in Jackson Co., MI, is named after her great grandfather Herbert Harvey, who farmed there.

Another ancestral line of my wife’s is Notten. Her third great grandfather, Ehlert Notten, came to America from England and farmed in Waterloo Twp., Jackson Co., MI.

My 4th great grandfather, Isaac Ormsbee, settled in north of Greenfield, near Porter Corners, Saratoga Co., NY in 1796. The old family cemetery is along Ormsbee Rd.

Musbach Rd. in Washtenaw County, MI, is name after my wife’s Musbach family, who farmed nearby.

This last one wasn’t exactly named after one of my family members (at least we haven’t proven it yet). Thibeau Voiland came to America from Cravanche, Belfort, France and settle in Erin Twp. (Roseville), Macomb Co., MI.

I also descend from Voilands who came from an area very close to Cravanche, but we haven’t been able to connect the two families! Maybe the addition of the sign here with help to prove or disprove the connection.

My wife’s grandfather passed away this morning. Grandpa Harvey would have celebrated his 91st birthday later this month. We are all blessed to have been a part of his long and active life.

He always greeted us with a big smile! I will miss the times we spent talking about the Harvey and Heim family histories. Our talks were always filled with stories that made those histories really come to life.

Our Harvey family emigrated from England about 1860. George Harvey and his wife, Elizabeth Lowden, settled in Leoni Twp., Jackson Co., MI, on property located at the corner of present day Wooster and Seymore Roads. Their son, Herbert, who is my wife’s great grandfather, bought the Musbach farm on Harvey Rd., Jackson Co. The farm remained in the family until their son Wayne sold it in 1970.

Joseph Perrin – Born July 19, 1765 in Essert, Belfort, France. He married Marie Anne Courre. Joseph is my 4th great grandfather.

Martha Anne Musbach – Born July 21, 1879 in Waterloo Twp., Jackson Co., MI. She married Herbert Harvey in 1904. They farmed on Harvey Rd. in Jackson Co. Martha died on November 21, 1951 in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Co., MI and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Chelsea, Washtenaw Co. She is my wife’s great grandmother.

May Belle Cook – born July 23, 1907 in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, LA. She died in Omaha, Douglas Co., NE on November 5, 1923 and is buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Omaha. May is my 1st cousin, once removed.

James Cole – Born July 25, 1600 in St. Giles, Cripplegate, Highland, London, England. He married Mary Tibbes in 1625. He was the first settler of and lived upon what is still known as “Cole’s Hill” in Plymouth, MA. He opened the first inn or public house in Plymouth. James died in Plymouth on January 31, 1697/98. He is my 9th great grandfather.

George Harvey – Born July 15, 1834 in Kesteven or Holland, Lincolnshire, England. He and his wife, Elizabeth Lowden, farmed in Leoni Township, Jackson Co., MI. He died on February 20, 1901 and is buried in Harrington Cemetery, Henrietta Township, Jackson Co. George is my wife’s 2nd great grandfather.

Helen Alice Heim – Born July 15, 1917 in Sylvan Township, Washtenaw Co., MI. Helen and her husband, Wayne Harvey, owned a farm on Harvey Rd. in Jackson Co., MI. She died on April 20, 2000 in Chelsea, Washtenaw Co. and is buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Chelsea. Helen is my wife’s grandmother.

Nelson Alonzo Harris – Born July 16, 1822 in Greenfield, Saratoga Co., NY. Nelson, his wife, Louisa Cleveland, and their family came to Cato, Manitowoc Co., WI from Indiana in the early 1850s. He engaged in mill business in Cato and Forest Junction. He moved to Florida in 1884 and died in Waldo, Alachua Co. He is buried in Laurel Grove Cemetery in Waldo. Nelson in my 2nd great grandfather.

Dorothy Louise Harris – Born July 17, 1900 in Appleton, Outagamie Co., WI. She was a primary school teacher in Clintonville, Waupaca Co., and Appleton before her marriage to Russell Bernard Weller in July 15, 1929. They lived in Clintonville and owned Weller Hardware. Dorothy died on August 13, 1972 in Clintonville, and is buried in St. Rose Cemetery, Clintonville. Dorothy and Russell are my grandparents.

Joseph Cleveland – Born July 18, 1689 in Chelmsford, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts Bay Colony. He and his family lived in Canterbury, Windham Co., CT where he died on March 11, 1766. Joseph is my 6th great grandfather.

Jonathan Kimball and Lydia Day – Married July 15, 1698 probably in Massachusetts. They are my wife’s 8th great grandparents.

Charles Russell McConnell – Died July 12, 1898 in Michigan. He is buried in Spaulding Cemetery, Bellevue Twp., Eaton Co., MI. He married Sophia Laib in 1859. Charles is my wife’s 2nd great grandfather.

William Bradford, II – Died July 15, 1591 in Austerfield, Yorkshire, England. He married Alice Hanson in 1584. William is the father of William Bradford, Governor of Plymouth Colony. He is my 10th great grandfather.

Katherine Protz – Died July 15, 1910 in Brillion Township, Calumet Co., WI. She was born in Germany and came to America with her husband, Leonhard Seybold, on June 2, 1857. They farmed in Brillion Twp. Katherine is buried in Forest Home Cemetery, Calumet Co. She is my 2nd great grandmother.